Segmented sling seat frame with stabilizing connection means having concealed adjustment for facilitating coverage thereof

ABSTRACT

Segmented sling-seat frame comprising a plurality of frame segments adapted to be connected by elongated tubular connection means including adjustment means for adjustment of an external dimension of said seat frame concealed therein, said connection means being of sufficient length to support the extremities of both frame members therein and to stabilize the coupling by sliding engagement with said frame members. Especially significant where said frame is a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;free-standing&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; frame. Permits convenient adjustment of an external dimension of said frame, thereby facilitating coverage with a tubular seat cover or the like.

United States Patent 1 1 Koepke Sept. 18, 1973 SEGMENTED SLING SEATFRAME WITH STABILIZING CONNECTION MEANS HAVING CONCEALED ADJUSTMENT FORFACILITATING COVERAGE THEREOF [75] Inventor: Earl H. Koeplre, Sturgis,Mich.

[731 Assignee: Harter Corporation, Sturgis, Mich. [22] Filed: June 20,1972 [21] Appl. No.: 264,498

[52] us. Cl. 297/452, 297/231, 297/458,

[51] Int. Cl A47c 7/20, A47c 7/14 [58] Field of Search.....'.....297/230-232, 218, 219,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,400,717 12/1921 Benson etal. 297/457 1,669,068

5/1928 Simpson 5/354 1 3,230,011 l/1966 Propst 297/452 3,110,519 11/1963Chernivsky... 297/457 X 2,803,291 8/1957 Meyer 297/457 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Gordon W. Hueschen et a1.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT Segmented sling-seat frame comprising a plurality offrame segments adapted to be connected by elongated tubular connectionmeans including adjustment means for adjustment of an external dimensionof said seat frame concealed therein, said connection means being ofsufficient length to support the extremities of both frame memberstherein and to stabilize the coupling by sliding engagement with saidframe members. Especially significant where said frame is afree-standing" frame. Permits convenient adjustment of an externaldimension of said frame, thereby facilitating coverage with a tubularseat cover or the like.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SEGMENTED SLING SEAT FRAME WITH STABILIZINGCONNECTION MEANS HAVING CONCEALED ADJUSTMENT FOR FACILITATING COVERAGETHEREOF BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention Seating,particularly sling-seat frame construction, particularly of thefree-standing type, adapted to stand by itself and not be connected towooden or other substructure of a supporting nature.

2. Prior Art Various means for adjusting an external dimension of aseat-frame for various reasons, including to facilitate coverage of saidframe with a seat-cover and to remove wrinkles from the seat cover oncein place on said frame, have already been devised and are a part of theprior art. Such prior art includes:

Scott, U. S. Pat. No. 488,095, issued Dec. 13, 1892; Tompkins, U. S.Pat. No. 584,905, issued June 22, 1897; Benson, U. S. Pat. No.1,400,717, issued Dec. 20, 1921; Fry, U. S. Pat. No. 1,782,815, issuedNov. 25, 1930; and Quy, U. S. Pat. No. 3,294,451, issued Dec. 27, 1966.These patentees show, inter alia, interlocking bars, spring clampingdevices, swaging extremities inside of a sleeve,

double threaded extremities in combination with a double threadedturnbuckle, unthreaded extremities in combination with a spacerconnection in which the external dimension is not adjustable except byselection of the length of the unthreaded extremities and the spacerconnection into which they fit, and the like. While all of these meanshave limited application for their intended use, they have mainly beensatisfactory where they have been used in connection with underlyingsupport means, such as a wooden frame, as shown in Fry. Where adjustablemeans havebeen otherwise employed, they have been exposed and unsightly,and have suffered from the obvious disadvantage of presenting aninherent structural weakness at the point of connection of the twoextremities of the seat frame by the adjustable. connecting device. Thisdisadvantage has been particularly apparent where the frame has been aso-called free-standing frame, that is, with or without legs, but notdesigned or particularly adapted to be supported, especially at thepoint of its adjustability, by any underlying substructure, such as awooden frame or the like. It is apparent that an improve segmentedsling-seat frame, especially of the free-standing type, which includes aconnection means which permits rapid and convenien adjustment of anexternal dimension thereof to facilitate covering of said frame, andwhich is economical, and which lends overall stability to the couplingbetween the individual segments of the frame, would be highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION v 'The present invention relates to a segmentedslingseat frame, especially such a frame adapted to be freestanding,that is, which may or may not be complete with legs but which does notrequire a supporting substructure, especially in the area .of theadjustment means hereinafter more fully described, said frame comprisinga plurality of frame segments adapted to be connected by stabilizingtubular connection means including concealed adjustment means foradjustment of an internal dimension of said seat frame thereby tofacilitate the covering of said frame when assembled with a frame cover,at least one of said frame segments having thread means at an extremitythereof adapted to be coupled by said stabilizing tubular connectionmeans to another of said frame segments at an extremity thereof, saidstabilizing tubular connection means being an elongated tube havinginternal dimensions adapted to provide sliding engagement with theexternal surface of both said. frame segments, said tube having fixedlysecured and concealed therein nut means for engagement with said threadmeans when said threaded extremity of said first frame segment isinserted into said stabilizing tubular connection means and also havingfixedly secured and concealed therein abutment means for abutment of theextremity of said second frame segment thereagainst when inserted intosaid stabilizing connection means, said stabilizing tubular connectionmeans being of sufficient length to support the extremities of bothframe members therein and to stabilize said coupling by slidingengagement with said frame members, whereby when said frame is assembledand a frame cover associated therewith, said connection means can berotated for adjustment of a dimension of said frame and to loosen ortighten said frame cover. The invention moreover relates to such a framein assembled form and adapted to have a frame cover in the form of asling arranged thereover, such a connected frame with a frame cover inthe form of a tubular sling arranged thereover, such a combination offrame and frame cover wherein said cooperating frame segments and saidstabilizing connection means together comprise a lateral reach of saidseat frame, such a combination wherein the stabilizing connection meansand the extremities of the two frame segments together comprise theupper lateral reach of the back portion of an assembled seat frame, orthe forward lower edge of said seat frame, or a lateral portion of saidseat frame between the forward edge of said seat frame and the upperedge of said seat frame back portion, such a combination wherein saidnut means and said abutment means within said stabilizing connectionmeans are integral, such a combination wherein the relation of adimension of said frame cover and the lateral reach of said frame issuch that the stabilizing connection means is located substantiallycentrally of said lateral reach of said frame,

such an assembly wherein the assembled seat frame comprises suchstabilizing connection means as a portion of the lateral reach of eachof the forward lower edge of the seat frame and the upper seat backframe, and especially such frame which is a freestanding frame, with orwithout legs, adaped to be employed without supporting substructure,especially in the area of the stabilizing connection means.

OBJECTS It is an object of the present invention to provide a segmentedsling-seat frame, including frame segment connection means, having allthe characteristics and advantages as stated in the foregoing. it is afurther object to provide such a sling-seat frame which is adjustable bymeans of a stabilizing tubular connection means with respect to anexternal dimension of said seat frame. Additional objects willbeapparent to one skilled in the art, and further objects will becomeapparent hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a segmented sling-seat frameincluding a stabilizing tubular connection means according to theinvention; and

FIG. 2 is a detail of a seciton of a preferred form of frame andstabilizing tubular connection means according to the invention, takenalong line A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective of a sling-seat frame according to theinvention with a tubular seat frame cover draped loosely thereover; and

FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 3 after adjustment of the lateraldimensions of the frame by means of the stabilizing tubular connectionmeans according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. I, thesegmented sling-seat frame there shown is generally indicated as 1. Itcomprises two segments which are substantially mirror images of eachother, respectively identified as 2 and 3. Stabilizing tubularconnection means are shown at 4, 5, and 6. The stabilizing tubularconnection means are of sufficient length to support the extremities ofthe frame members 2 and 3, which are respectively identified as 7, 8,and 9, and 10, 11, and 12 by sliding engagement therewith, and as willbe noted constitute a substantial portion of the lateral reach of theassembled chair frame. This is necessary for stabilization purposes.Extremities 7, 8, and 9 of frame segment 2 are threaded at l3, l4, and15, for engagement with an internal nut (not shown) in stabilizingtubular connection means 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

In the detail of FIG. 2, taken along the line A in FIG. 1, a section ofa preferred form of the coupling is shown. Here again we have framesegment 3 with its extremity 10, for sliding engagement with the innersurface of stabilizing tubular connection means 4. Abutment 22 isprovided internally of stabilizing tubular connection means 4, wherebythe internal diameter is somewhat reduced, thereby providing limit meanswith respect to the maximum penetration of extremity 10 of frame member3 in sliding engagement within stabilizing tubular connection means 4.

At the other end of the stabilizing tubular connection means, framesegment 2, with its extremity 7 and bearing threads 13 is shown injuxtaposition to the end of stabilizing tubular connection means 4.Internal of said stabilizing tubular connection means 4 is fixedlymounted nut 20, having threads 21 adapted to receive the complimentarythreads 13 on the extremity 7 of frame segment 2. As shown, a chamber 23is provided for receiving the portion of threads 13 which extend throughnut 20 upon tightening of the frame by rotation of stabilizing tubularconnection means 4, but this is immaterial. When the nut 20 and theabutment 22 are integral, as shown, threads 21 can equally well extendthroughout the entire length thereof. In such case chamber 23 will beabsent. Alternatively, nut 20 and abutment 22 may be separate ratherthan integral, but in any event at least one of them must be fixedlysecured inside tubular connection means 4.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled frame including segments 2 and 3 andstabilizing tubular connection means 4 and 6. Tubular connection means 5is not shown.

Sling-style seat frame covers, in this case in the form of tubes 30 and31, have been loosely disposed over the back section and the seatsection of the seat frame. As will be noted, stabilizing tubularconnection means 4 and 6 extend over a substantial portion of thelateral reaches of the chair frame at the forward edge of said seat andat the upper edge of said seat frame back portion.

In FIG. 4 is shown the same view as shown in FIG. 3, but with the framesegments having an external dimension adjusted by means of tubularconnection means 4, 5 (not shown), and 6. By rotating the stabilizingtubular connection means slightly, lateral dimensions of the forwardedge of said seat frame, the upper edge of said seat frame back portion,and at a further point therebetween,

the external lateral dimensions of the chair frame have been increasedand the tubular seat frame cover, in this case of tubular form, has beentightened neatly thereabout and is now substantially wrinkle-free. Aswill be noted from FIG. 4, by selection of the relationship of thedimensions of the frame cover and the lateral reaches of the frame, upontightening or extension of the frame lateral dimensions, the stabilizingtubular connection means is located substantially centrally of thelateral reaches of said frame.

In the foregoing figures and description, similar reference charactersrefer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown, the seat frame is particularly designed to be free-standing,that is, it is not designed or particularly adapted to be used inconjunction with a supporting substructure, especially at the points orportions of the frame where the stabilizing tubular connection means areemployed. As'will be apparent, the chair frame may be supplied with orwithout legs (not shown). Numerous types of legs and connecting meanstherefor are known in the art and various are suitable for use inconnection with the seat frame of the invention. For example, an uprightpost with floor engaging arms at its lower end and seat frame memberengaging arms at its upper end (not shown) is one form of leg structurewhich can be used in conjunction with the seat frame of the inventionand which is eminently suitable. Since it forms no part of the inventionit is not further illustrated or described, nor are other of theinnumerable leg structures which are suitable.

When reference is made herein to an underlying supporting substructurefor the seat frame, such not being present in a chair or seat having afree-standing" structure, reference is made to the Fry U. S. Pat. No.1,782,815 which shows comparatively seat frames which do have andrequire such a supporting substructure.

As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, a slingchair frame of thetype involved in the present invention is usually covered by a tubularframe cover which is slipped over the chair frame merely as a matter ofconvenience. Innumerable other frame covers may be employed, such asthose having loops through which frame members are slipped or passed, orthe frame cover may be secured to the frame by clamps or in any othersuitable manner, many of which are already known in the art. The framecover, as is well known in the art, may be of fabric, of plastic, offabric backed with plastic, or the like.

The seat frame may be of heavy gauge wire, or rod, bar, or tubingstructure, and is usually rod-like in nature. It can for example be ofaluminum, steel, stainless steel, plastic, or the like.

For securing the various portions of the frame together and for securingthe nut and/or abutment within the stabilizing tubular connection means,any suitable means may be employed, for example welding, braising,soldering, and for the nut and abutment within the connection means alsopressfitting, swaging, and cementing.

Although the external dimension of the frame subject to adjustment intheforegoing dra'wings and description has been of a lateral reachthereof, it is clear that it could as well be of a vertical reach,especially in a particular case when a tubular or other type of framecover is employed in association with lateral frame members and whichmay therefore require adjustment of a vertical reach of the frame.

In any event, it should be clear from the foregoing that the stabilizingtubular connection means to serve its proper function of stabilizing thejuncture or coupling between the frame segments, should be of sufficientlength to support the extremities of both frame members through slidingengagement therewith. This then, together with the internal abutment andnut,

which are concealed within the tubular connection means, providetogether'with the frame segments an attractive, stable, adjustableframe, which is readily employed for its intended purpose and economicalto produce. Although the invention has been described with particularreference to a seat frame having two segments, it should be apparent toone skilled in the art that the number of segments employed is not alimitation. For example, two separate segments could be used for theback portion of a chair seat, two separate segments could be employedfor the seat portion of the seating unit, or, for example, the seatframe, including a back portion, could comprise two side portions and acentral portion. Other combinations will be apparent to one skilled inthe art. Asused herein, the term seat as employed with relation to seatframe, has been used either as encompassing a'back portion or not.Preferably and usually the seat comprises not only the seat portion perse but also a back portion. As already fully disclosed and pointedout,legs or a pedestal may or may not be present, but form no part ofthe present invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to'be limited to theexact details of operation or the exact structure, methods, orprocedures shown and described, as all the foregoing are subject tonumerous variations and modifications not departing from the spirit ofthe invention and obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparentto one skilled inthe art.

extremity thereof adapted to be coupled by said stabilizing tubularconnection means to another of said frame segments at an extremitythereof, said stabilizing tubular connection means being an elongatedtube having internal dimensions adapted to provide sliding engagementwith the external surface of the extremities of both said framesegments, said tube having secured and concealed therein nut means forengagement with said thread means when said threaded extremity of saidfirst frame segment is inserted into said stabilizing tubular connectionmeans and also having secured and concealed therein abutment means forabutment of the extremity of said second frame segment thereagainst wheninserted into said stabilizing connection means, said stabilizingtubular connection means being of sufficient length to support theextremities of both frame members therein and to stabilize said couplingby sliding engagement with said frame members, whereby when said frameis assembled and a frame cover associated therewith, said connectionmeans can be rotated for adjustment of a dimension of said frame and toloosen or tighten said frame cover.

2. The combination of claim 1, in assembled form and adapted to have aframe cover in the form of a sling arranged over said frame.

3. The combination of claim 2, including said frame cover in the form ofa tubular sling arranged over said frame.

,4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the extremities of saidcooperating frame segments and said stabilizing connection meanstogether comprise a lateral reach of said seat frame.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat frame comprises a backportion and wherein said stabilizing connection means and saidextremities of said two frame segments together comprise the upperlateral reach of the back portion of said assembled seat frame.

6. The combination of claim 4, wherein said stabilizing'connection meansand said extremities of said two frame segments together comprise theforward lower edge of said seat frame.

7. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat frame comprises a backportion and wherein said stabilizing connection means and saidextremities of said two frame segments together comprise a lateralportion of said seat frame between the forward edge of said seat frameand the upper edge of said seat frame back portion.

8. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat frame comprises a backportion and said assembled seat frame comprises the extremities of saidcooperating frame segments and one of said stabilizing connec-.

tion means as the lateral reach of each of the forward lower 'edge'ofsaid seat frame and the upper edge of J said seat frame back portion.

9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said nut means and said abutmentmeans within said stabilizing connection means are integral.

10. The combination of claim 4, including said frame cover and whereinthe relation 'of a dimension of said frame cover and said lateral reachof said frame is such that said stabilizing connection means is locatedsubstantially centrally of said lateral reach of said frame.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said frame is a free-standingframe, adapted to be employed without supporting substructure, but withor without legs.

l I l i

1. A segmented sling-seat frame comprising a plurality of frame segmentsadapted to be connected by stabilizing tubular connection meansincluding concealed adjustment means for adjustment of an externaldimension of said seat frame thereby to facilitate covering of saidframe when assembled with a frame cover, at least one of said framesegments having thread means at an extremity thereof adapted to becoupled by said stabilizing tubular connection means to another of saidframe segments at an extremity thereof, said stabilizing tubularconnection means being an elongated tube having internal dimensionsadapted to provide sliding engagement with the external surface of theextremities of both said frame segments, said tube having secured andconcealed therein nut means for engagement with said thread means whensaid threaded extremity of said first frame segment is inserted intosaid stabilizing tubular connection means and also having secured andconcealed therein abutment means for abutment of the extremity of saidsecond frame segment thereagainst when inserted into said stabilizingconnection means, said stabilizing tubular connection means being ofsufficient length to support the extremities of both frame memberstherein and to stabilize said coupling by sliding engagement with saidframe members, whereby when said frame is assembled and a frame coverassociated therewith, said connection means can be rotated foradjustment of a dimension of said frame and to loosen or tighten saidframe cover.
 2. The combination of claim 1, in assembled form andadapted to have a frame cover in the form of a sling arranged over saidframe.
 3. The combination of claim 2, including said frame cover in theform of a tubular sling arranged over said frame.
 4. The combination ofclaim 2, wherein the extremities of said cooperating frame segments andsaid stabilizing connection means together comprise a lateral reach ofsaid seat frame.
 5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seat framecomprises a back portion and wherein said stabilizing connection meansand said extremities of said two frame segments together comprise theupper lateral reach of the back portion of said assembled seat frame. 6.The combination of claim 4, wherein said stabilizing connection meansand said extremities of said two frame segments together comprise theforward lower edge of said seat frame.
 7. The combination of claim 4,wherein said seat frame comprises a back portion and wherein saidstabilizing connection means and said extremities of said two framesegments together comprise a lateral portion of said seat frame betweenthe forward edge of said seat frame and the uppeR edge of said seatframe back portion.
 8. The combination of claim 4, wherein said seatframe comprises a back portion and said assembled seat frame comprisesthe extremities of said cooperating frame segments and one of saidstabilizing connection means as the lateral reach of each of the forwardlower edge of said seat frame and the upper edge of said seat frame backportion.
 9. The combination of claim 2, wherein said nut means and saidabutment means within said stabilizing connection means are integral.10. The combination of claim 4, including said frame cover and whereinthe relation of a dimension of said frame cover and said lateral reachof said frame is such that said stabilizing connection means is locatedsubstantially centrally of said lateral reach of said frame.
 11. Thecombination of claim 1, wherein said frame is a free-standing frame,adapted to be employed without supporting substructure, but with orwithout legs.